Jury convicts St. Louis man of two Jefferson City rapes

A Cole County jury found a St. Louis man guilty Friday of seven criminal counts in two 2011 rape cases.

The jury deliberated for five hours Friday afternoon before returning its verdict against Johnny Rucker, 44.

He was charged with three counts of forcible rape, two counts of forcible sodomy and two counts of felonious restraint.

There was no word on when sentencing will take place.

Cheryl Nield, Cole County assistant prosecutor, told jurors Rucker forced two women on separate days to have sex with him after he asked them for rides outside the former Southern Comfort Bar, 510A Ellis Blvd.

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